Vegetarian | Page 35 of 44

Fiery Mexican Bean Salad

A bean salad with attitude…

As a barbecue side, Mexican bean salad is top of the line. Not only is it tasty, it also brings colorful life to the table. It’s an explosion of yellows, reds, and greens that looks fresh and fun.

And then there’s the other “f” in this recipe: fire. Jalapeño pepper provides a fresh bright pop while cayenne pepper powder layers a heat undertone through the entire spicy side dish. This most definitely is a bean salad with attitude – which works real well with bolder meat rubs and sweet BBQ sauces.

Thai BBQ Sauce

by Matt Bray

Yum on ribs, but perfect with shrimp and salmon…

Like hoisin BBQ sauce, this spicy Thai BBQ sauce is a turn away from the typical norm. It’s sweet, tangy, and earthy – like many sauces – but behind it all is an unusual foreign flair fueled by oyster sauce, fish sauce, and Thai chili paste. Thai BBQ sauce is tasty on ribs, steak, and chicken, but, frankly, it finds its real culinary home with grilled salmon and shrimp. The seafood pairs well with the unique flavors behind the recipe.

There’s just a little simmer of heat in the current recipe. The Thai chili sauce has a mellow burn and the cayenne pepper provides a little extra punch. If you want it spicier, increase that cayenne incrementally. It’s best to adjust any ingredients after the sauce has melded together for an hour or two. Ingredients like fish sauce and oyster sauce are strong flavors that will mellow with a little rest prior to use (and the sauce may even taste hotter). If you have the time, give the sauce a period to gel prior to tweaking the heat.

Spicy Refried Beans

by Matt Bray

Homemade refried beans with kick!

Sure, it’s really easy to pick up a can of refried beans from the supermarket, but making your own is both more rewarding and a heck of a lot healthier. Plus, you can spice things up just the way you want it. This spicy refried beans recipe steers relies on the oils from serrano peppers (or jalapeños if you can’t easily source serranos) – cooking them halved lengthwise with the beans. You can then remove the chilies for a smoother refried bean mix, or chop up the chilies and incorporate then into the beans.

Spicy refried beans are a delicious side for Mexican meals, or simply serve them with tortilla chips for a delicious spicy snack.

Spicy Southwest Salad Dressing

by Matt Bray

Add a little Tex-Mex flavor to your greens… If you have Ranch dressing at the ready, a decently stocked spice rack, and a few common kitchen ingredients, you’re ready to make a delicious spicy Southwest salad dressing. This is a 5-minute “whip it up” recipe that’s still …

Honey Chipotle BBQ Sauce

by Matt Bray

Smoky and sweet… If you like your barbecue on the sweeter side, yet still with plenty of smoky flavor and spiciness, honey chipotle BBQ sauce is right up your alley. Chipotle peppers have a very eatable medium heat to go along with their natural smokiness. We pair these …

Aji Amarillo Aioli

by Matt Bray

Delicious with fried food…

We love the aji amarillo for its sunny, bright flavor and its unexpected heat. It’s a flavor that goes far. In fact, adding just a touch of aji amarillo paste (or aji amarillo powder if you prefer) to a little mayonnaise creates a delicious dipping sauce that’s perfect as an alternative to tomato-based cocktail sauces for fried foods. Try it with fried shrimp or simply with fries – really anything in-between. Looking for an aji amarillo sauce that’s a little less full-on “mayo’y”? Take a look at this recipe.

Jalapeño Salsa Verde

by Matt Bray

Bring a little go to your tomatillo salsa… Salsa verde is typically known more for its tang more than its heat, but we sure do love adding a little oomph to this popular salsa. Jalapeño peppers add just enough spiciness to bring a little go to …

Ancho BBQ Sauce

by Matt Bray

A little sweet, a little smoky… Ancho BBQ sauce provides just a little simmering heat, but really that’s not what makes the sauce. Ancho peppers, while not the spiciest chili around, pack a lot of flavor – a little sweet, a little smoky, and most definitely earthy. …

Tandoori Masala Spice Mix

by Matt Bray

A delicious and surprisingly versatile Indian spice…

If you love the exotic flavors of Indian cuisine, then you’ll certainly love using a tandoori masala spice mix in the kitchen. This seasoning is delicious and surprisingly versatile. You can use it, of course, for the traditional Indian yogurt-based tandoori marinade. But try it as well sprinkled on vegetables (we love it on fried potatoes). Or use it as a simple meat rub, as a burger spice, or even as a salad seasoning.

Paprika provides a little simmering heat, but there’s some additional cayenne pepper powder in the recipe to up the spiciness. Feel free to use whole spices that are ground fresh rather than spice rack powders. They’ll provide a more aromatic and flavorful spice mix.

If you like exotic seasoning with a little heat, don’t miss some more of our favorite seasoning recipes: berbere spice mix, harissa seasoning, and ras el hanout. Or turn the ever-popular Sriracha sauce into a delicious spicy seasoning with our Sriracha powder recipe.

Chipotle Taco Seasoning

by Matt Bray

Ready for a smokier taco?

If you’re a fan of smoky flavor, prepping up a chipotle taco seasoning before taco night will make you very happy. This spice blend uses common spice rack ingredients and brings the smoke through both chipotle powder and smoked paprika. We kick in a little cayenne pepper to increase the overall heat just a touch.

Don’t limit this tasty seasoning to tacos. You can use it anywhere taco of Mexican seasoning is called for to add a little south-of-the-border flare to your meal. It’s delicious simply mixed with ranch dressing for a quick dip or use it as a dry rub on chicken, pork, or steak to add a smoky, earthy heat.